Ginger Cake

A cheap and good gingerbread recipe. I do LOVE gingerbread - it's cheap (did I mention that?) and feels soul-healing on hard days and is the perfect thing to come home to after a cold winter's day.

2 1/4 cups flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp ground ginger
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp salt
dash ground cloves
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup butter
2/3 cup molasses
1 egg
1 cup boiling water

Combine flour, soda, salt and spices. Set aside. In a mixing bowl, cream the sugar and butter; beat in the molasses and egg. Stir in the dry ingredients alternately with water; mix well. Pour into a greased 9" square baking pan. Bake at 350 for 35-40 minutes.
Cool completely. Leftovers will keep several days in an airtight container. Makes 9 servings.